Three Section V girls basketball teams are 2 wins from a state title: What to know

Girls basketball season has one weekend left, as three Section V teams take aim at state titles.

Aquinas (Class AA), Hornell (Class B) and Elba (Class D) are each two wins away from capturing their respective crowns. Of those three, only Elba has a previous championship on its résumé.

NYSPHSAA tournament games begin on Thursday, and will continue through Sunday, culminating with championship games across six classifications. All games will be held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

Despite three entries into the state tournament, Section V exited HVCC title-less in 2024, as Hilton was the only local team to reach its respective title game. That was a reversal from 2023, when three Section V teams reached championship games, with two winners (Webster Schroeder and Waterloo).

Will Section V put a stamp on this weekend's affairs?

Here's a look at the upcoming matchups:

Class AA girls basketball NY state semifinals: Aquinas vs Warwick

Aquinas' record: 23-1
Last state tournament: 2024
Last state title: N/A
The path to Troy: 74-47 win vs. Churchville-Chili (section first round), 73-42 win vs. Canandaigua (section quarterfinals), 57-53 win vs. Pittsford Mendon (section semifinals), 55-44 win vs. Webster Schroeder (section final), 59-50 win vs. Starpoint-VI (state regionals)
Up next: Section IX's Warwick, 11:45 a.m. Saturday
On the other side: Section VIII's Baldwin vs. Section 2's Catholic Central

There's been a common theme to Aquinas' postseason run thus far: Slow start, strong finish. In each of the Lil Irish's last three games, the team faced a significant deficit early, only to climb out of said hole in an eventual win.

While Molly O'Toole and Loren Green were Aquinas' go-to scorers during the regular season, it's been junior guard AJ Orr that's starred through five postseason games. An electric playmaker, Orr has averaged 18.8 points per game through the start of sectional play, and was rewarded with the Class AA section tournament's MVP award.

While Aquinas features a dangerous trio of scorers, this group is capable of mucking it up, too. Samiyah Wright and Jade Harvey are stellar rebounders who prevent opposing teams from second- and third-chances in any given possession.

This is Aquinas' second straight trip to the state semifinals. With a win, the Lil Irish reach their first state title game since 2012. With two more wins, the program would secure its first state championship.

Class B girls basketball NY state semifinals: Hornell vs Chenango Forks

Hornell's record: 21-3
Last state tournament: N/A
Last state title: N/A
The path to Troy: 70-27 win vs. Livonia (section quarterfinals), 62-26 win vs. Penn Yan (section semifinals), 36-27 win vs. Mynderse (section final), 76-44 win vs. Lyons (regional qualifier), 68-32 win vs. Salamanca-VI (state regionals)
Up next: Section IV's Chenango Forks at 11:45 a.m. Friday
On the other side: Section VIII's Cold Spring Harbor vs. Section 2's Voorheesville

Adversity has been a rare thing for Hornell so far this postseason. The Red Raiders are averaging a margin of victory of 31.2 points in their last five games.

The last moment of doubt came at the midway point of the Class B-1 championship game against Mynderse, when Hornell trailed by a point at halftime. The Red Raiders held the Blue Devils scoreless for almost 12 minutes after halftime, and won in relatively comfortable fashion.

Jordyn Dyring, a junior guard, is averaging 23.5 points per game over the last four, but she's not a solo act. Selena Maldonado, Raegan Evingham, Payton Bentley and Mia Nasca have also contributed double-digit point totals during this playoff run.

This weekend, Hornell steers into uncharted waters. The Red Raiders bowed out in Section V's state qualifier in 2023 and in the NYSPHSAA regional round last season. This is the program's first state tournament appearance.

Class D girls basketball NY state semifinals: Elba vs Northville

Elba's record: 23-0
Last state tournament: 2024
Last state title: 2012
The path to Troy: 76-31 win vs. Avoca-Prattsburgh (section quarterfinals), 52-36 win vs. Batavia Notre Dame (section semifinals), 54-36 win vs. Fillmore (section final), 54-48 win vs. Sherman-VI (state regionals)
Up next: Section 2's Northville at 6 p.m. Thursday
On the other side: Section III's LaFargeville vs. Section X's Chateaugay

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. According to last week's state rankings, Elba is New York's last unbeaten team in 2024-25.

The Lancers were nearly knocked off their perfect perch in the state regionals against Section VI's Sherman. Trailing by as many as 10 in the third quarter, Elba worked its way back to a tie score with under two minutes remaining, and were a last-second Sherman 3-pointer away from winning in regulation.

The dramatic shot only delayed the inevitable. With Brea Smith receiving most of the overtime touches, the Lancers built a two-score lead and clinched a second straight trip to the state tournament.

This weekend could feel like deja vu for Elba as Northville, the same opponent from last year's state semifinal, awaits. The Lancers dropped that game, 42-34, and hope for a reversal of fortune this time around.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Section V's Aquinas, Hornell, Elba at NYS girls basketball tournament

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